Effects of reduced pressure and vibration on haz-mat packages for liquids

Eleven different bottle/closure systems used to package dangerous goods for transportation by air were tested for leakage. The bottles were filled with water and subjected to the combined effects of random vibration and external pressure equivalent to an altitude of 14000ft (4267m) for up to an hour. The bottles were placed in the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations and observed for leaks. The differences in bottle weights before and after the tests were used to quantify leakage. The results show that of the 11 package types tested, six leaked when subjected to simulation of the air transport environment. Those systems utilizing ‘stretch tape’ around the closure did not leak. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.